The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has approved plans to radically redevelop one of the largest and most deprived housing estates in London and improve the quality of life for thousands of local people.

Dated, crumbling housing on the Ferrier estate in Kidbrooke will be replaced by 4,000 new homes, plus a new commercial and retail hub and a range of community facilities.

Built in 1974, the Ferrier estate is typical of the badly designed estates of the 1960s and 1970s which attracted crime, vandalism, unemployment and deprivation, making life a misery for many of its residents. The plans approved at the Mayor's regular strategic planning meeting, will also see the replacement of the local primary school, and the development of new infrastructure as well as open recreational space for residents and visitors.

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His decision underpins his commitment to do all he can to help London's economy through the challenges that lie ahead. In particular, the Mayor believes that the construction industry must be supported in every way and new building work is critical to sustaining as well as delivering new jobs for Londoners.

The Mayor said: "This is another great example of pushing ahead with major development and infrastructure improvements to create jobs, support the capital's economy and transform the quality of life for thousands of Londoners.

"For far too long the residents of this estate have suffered as a result of poor, ill thought out design and planning. Now we have the chance to put that right. These plans clearly put people and communities first and signal an incredibly bright future ahead for Greenwich and its residents."

(CD/JM)